Philanthropist Donates $5M to Scripps Health for Musculoskeletal Care Facility

Philanthropist Darlene Shiley has pledged $5 million to build a comprehensive musculoskeletal care facility at Scripps Clinic, Scripps Health reported this week.

The Donald P. and Darlene V. Shiley Musculoskeletal Center, which is scheduled to open on the first floor of the Torrey Pines Anderson Outpatient Pavilion in La Jolla in about two years, will centralize orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, sports medicine, podiatry, rheumatology and research services.

"Darlene and her late husband, Donald, have been part of the Scripps family for more than three decades—supporting programs and services across a wide continuum of care from bench to bedside—and we are very fortunate to be the beneficiary of their continued generosity and support," said Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of Scripps Health.

"This gift underscores their commitment to the health of our community, and it will help increase access to the world-class orthopedic treatment and care for which Scripps is well known," Van Gorder said.

Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in June, according to Scripps Health.

The health care provider said the need for orthopedic services will grow in the future as the population ages and more people seek ways to maintain an active lifestyle. Musculoskeletal services account for more than 100,000 patient visits at Scripps Clinic annually and more than half of all surgeries performed at Scripps Health facilities.

Scripps Health reported that it has received more than $15 million from the Shileys since 1980. Donald Shiley was one of the inventors of the Bjork- Shiley heart valve.

—City News Service